UEFA to probe banana incident and racial abuse at Balotelli

UEFA were yesterday "looking into" claims a banana was thrown on to the pitch during Italy's European Championship game against Croatia on Thursday.

A photographer was reported to have witnessed a steward retrieving a banana in the 1-1 Group C draw in Poznan as well as hearing monkey chants directed at Italy striker Mario Balotelli.

A steward holds a banana after picking it up off from the pitch during Italy vs Croatia match. Pic/AFP

European football’s governing body confirmed they were aware of the claims, telling Press Association: “We are looking into the reports.” Balotelli said before Euro 2012 that he would “kill” anyone who threw a banana at him in the street and would “not accept racism at all”.